Language Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
““To satisfy themselves with this, they gladly grasp at words, especially those which denote indefinite, very abstract, and unusual concepts difficult to explain, such, for example, as infinite and finite, sensuous and supersensuous, the Idea of being, Ideas of reason, the Absolute,””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World as Will and Representation, Arthur Schopenhauer, 1818
People cling to vague, abstract concepts like infinity or the Absolute because they offer a false sense of understanding.
In simple terms: People use big ideas to feel they understand reality.
Key Takeaway
Question the usefulness of abstract concepts.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
language
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal reflection
- teaching philosophy
Key Concepts
metaphysics
conceptual abstraction
Questions to Reflect On
- How do vague concepts affect decision making?
- Can concrete language replace abstract terms?
A Different Perspective
Abstract ideas can obscure practical truth.
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
![“[Materialism] seeks the primary and most simple state of matter, and then tries to develop all the others from it; ascending from mere mechanism, to chemism, to polarity, to the vegetable and to the animal kingdom. And if we suppose this to have been done, the last link in the chain would be…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88c/arthur-schopenhauer-226_animal-kingdom_materialism-seeks-the-primary-and-most-s_50402.jpg)
